BlackBerry Bold training on AT&T cancelled due to launch delays

For realz, y’all. October 2nd was about as concrete as we were going to get, but the powers that be (RIM’s lack of focus on the OS) have interjected. We’ve been working on this story over the past couple days, and here is a quick rundown on what we’ve heard… The Bold, while originally set for a launch on October 2nd is still having OS issues and it’s been up to RIM to fix them. Normally BlackBerrys can glide through AT&T’s testing labs in a pretty short time frame. Something like 2-3 weeks. As you are all aware, not this time. Regardless of what the problem is, there’s no excuse for having probably the most botched launch in device history. Device training was supposed to start October 7th, but that has been pushed back now, and then there’s the launch parties coming up starting mid-month. We’re not going to give another predicted launch date until we can fully confirm it, so we’ll get back to you on that. Any RIM PR reps want to give us a ring and still tell us the device was never delayed? Suckaz. Hit the jump for an email explaining the delay and the postponed device training sessions!

Thanks, CrunkBerry!

As you are aware, with the anticipated launch of the 3G AT&T BlackBerry Bold, RIM has committed to hold training sessions in over 40 cities. A large number of these sessions were to take place this and next week. Due to the continued uncertainty of the device launch date, we will work with RIM to reschedule these sessions to a later date.

Any representatives that have registered will be informed by email of the schedule change. No action is required from your part.

Rescheduling the training to align with a final technical acceptance for BlackBerry Bold launch will ensure that:

a) the training material can cover all the feature functionality that will be on this device at launch (at this time we don’t have clarity on the status of all features).

b) handouts can be given to Dealers to reinforce the material covered

c) we will be able to provide attendees with a general availability date

c) the delivery of the material will be within one – two weeks of launch to ensure content retention and ability to practice what they learn in the field

d) the desired 30 person per session registration/attendance is achieved (training in the last week of a sales month at the end of a sales quarter should be avoided if possible)

RIM, Apple & others make global devices with standards in mind. They release these devices for testing and make some tweaks if needed for the slight differences from the standard. AT&Ts 3G implementation is far from standard. This RIM device works around the world because the rest of the world has got their network right.

RIM is having to do more updates than normal for AT&T. Some of those updates then cause problems elsewhere in their OS. You can’t put all the blame on RIM for having troubles making changes that resulted from a non-standard 3G network implementation by AT&T. Other 3G devices have went through tweaks for AT&T 3G before release. The only reason this is noticeable is because RIM is having troubles turning around those OS changes. But again, don’t blame RIM for the delay when it wouldn’t be delayed in the first place if AT&T had built their network right. The rest of the world got it right and can use the Bold with few to no patches for the differences in the network. Yet AT&T needs major OS overhaul to fix things for their network.

It no wonder AT&T wants to get on LTE so badly. They know they face problems with many 3G devices to come because of their mistakes.

j|deuce

this ultimately takes frustration to a whole new level

Bert

“Guys, this DEFINITELY an ATT problem. I have an unlocked Roger’s Bold and it works perfectly well. The OS is very stable. I haven’t had a single problem with it. ATT is a joke.”

Actually its rim’s problem even though its seemingly caused by att, they have to pass att’s testing before its accepted and the carrier obviously doesn’t give a shit if an issue is hardware or network-related as long as it gets fixed.

Bert

“All you people saying “oh the OS is stable”. Are full of shit! Rogers launched with .125. Now go install .152 or .162 and tell me theres not a world of difference?? Hell it took RIM from .125 to .162 to get the the goddamn “Gold Code”?? Gimmie a break.”

Whats wrong with it incrementing that much, presumably all the issues att’s shitty network are causing will require multiple builds pushing up that number and don’t forget that kickstart was also 4.6 and would be using up some of those build numbers too.

Poster

After reading over 30 threads on this issue (clearly only a small minority of total threads), I see it this way:

At&t screwed up and made bad network decisions uncovered by the iPhone rollout. This is a confirmed given. Yesterday I saw 7 At&t support vans and trucks parked next to a grassy area in my neighborhood. (Never saw that before outside of the At&t parking lot.) I asked the gentlemen, who were eating lunch, what’s up. They all laughed and told me that they are redoing work area by area on work previously considered complete on the cell network. I asked if this work is being done to support future 3g phones that also have high bandwidth needs. They said, “Absolutely.” You can’t argue with an honest technician with a printed order/task form in his hand explaining what they need to do and why. (Sorry, no camera phone; just a BB7230) So…..At&t has without a doubt and unarguably screwed up, and is now trying to fix things.

Also….RIM shares the blame. They have placed such a push on the Storm that a lot of resources are being directed to complete that device as a priority. The result is a delay to other OS updates for the other devices. RIM also screwed up in its long term planning. Let’s face it: RIM has an old OS that needs to be better designed to take better advantage of any landscape changes. More forethought on the OS side of things may have avoided At&t’s dirty-little-network-problem. The company needs this debacle as a shot in the arm for lessons forgotten and lessons to be re-learned.

So, we consumers are looking at a perfect storm (pun intended) of bad network decisions, slow product development, and reduced resources to make sure everything works.

Sounds like a long wait for a new product might have been written on the wall long before these threads.

Disclaimer: I really Really REally REAlly REALly REALLY want the Bold. ….and I AM one of the nerds droolling, and waiting, and wishing, and waiting, and hoping, and waiting, and hating and waiting, and waiting and waiting and waiting and w……

notsoandso

So I have been nursing an ailing 8700c for several months. I guess I’ll have to buy something else. How can they launch in Asia and some EU countries and not be ready here. Perhaps it’s an AT&T issue??

Mike

Screw it. I will be getting the HTC Touch Pro and play with that for a year or two. By then the Bold should be out (maybe). I don’t have the ability to wait for RIM or AT&T. I have a treo 755P and my work is dropping that server, so it’s BB or Windows based OS. I can’t make them keep the server any longer just for me. With this shity of a release, the first year of Bold on 3G will probably be shit anyhow.

KC

I only have one question. Is it safe to by an unlocked bold to use on AT&T? Will future upgrades be available to me? Ok, that’s two questions.

Anonymous

Just a quick question. Does anyone know more about if and when the 8820’s are getting an OS overhaul? I’m still on 4.2.2.169, and I vaguely remember reading a post about new OS’es coming out soon (aka 4.5) for 8820’s and other ATT BBerries. BGR, ayny thoughts?

Alex25

Come on RIM & AT&T get your shit together… For the Love of God! Why does ever developing country have the new Bold, but not the U.S. Is it because At&T’s 3G network is in the dark ages. ugh!

Sam D

India has the Plague? What hell does that have to do with this? I can say we have bigotry and AIDS and Drug addiction and Obesity and countless other diseases. Stay on the point and please watch your language.
Maybe India got it before US because India doesn’t do back-door deals with Apple and screw the consumers by limiting their options.

Terry

QUESTION!
AT&T/RIM have been taking hits from every forum/blog on the net regarding their catastrophic “Non-Release” of the Bold; Has either one of the companies responded to the criticisms? Have either attempted to explain the delay? Just curious!

level

BG

what’s with the post at BBnews.com?

MIKEYMIKE

I have been an ATT customer since 1994 (WHen it was Cellular One in chicago). I sent an email to ATT through their customer service, and after several replys back and forth got connected with what appeared to be a pretty high up customer service representative. Long story short, I asked said individual when the Bold would be available because as a customer for over 14yrs I was extremely upset. The reply was that ATT MOBILITY DOES NOT PLAN TO OFFER THE BLACKBERRY BOLD. He then went on to thank me for being a customer for many years, and said he appreciates my business (lies). If they appreciated their customers they would have put this device in their hands when it appeared prudent. Now the image i view in my head is all of us chatting about this fone are lined up at a store when it finally launches, purchasing our phones,and then punching our friendly ATT rep right in the fucking nose…and to be quite frank they deserve it. “Customer is king” it is a business philosophy to live by. ATT can blow an OX with VD.

Terry

I truly believe that AT&T will not be introducing this phone…….EVER!

Danny

blackberrynews.com claims that the launch will now be oct 20th, which would fall in line with bestbuy stocking it on the 26th, but at this point, who knows…

Tony

Hey guys…I always get a kick out of this…

Chat InformationThank you for your patience! An AT&T sales representative will be with you shortly.

Chat InformationYou are now chatting with Latisha, an AT&T sales representative.

Latisha: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?

Tony: Hi! Does anyone in your company actually know the release date of the BlackBerry Bold 9000?

Latisha: That’s a great question!

Latisha: We do not know what our new promotions are going to be ahead of time. Any new price promotions or phones will be posted online with our web site when they become available.

Tony: So no one even knows an estimated date? Wasn’t this device supposed to be released in the summer?

Latisha: I do not have that information at this time.

Tony: Great! Thanks for your help!

JaggedXJ

To the individual paying $225 a month for BB service: No one, I mean NO ONE should be paying more than~$150 a month for BB service. On T-Mobile that will give you unlimited everything, including data, with room left over for insurance & taxes. Additionally, I feel your pain, I rocked a Nokia 8290 for 8 years before I got my 8320 Curve. Old phones aren’t fun after a point.

Basehead

Well, if you belive Kevin Michaluk’s post “New York Hated My BlackBerry Bold” over at crackberry its clearly an ATT problem.

I bumped into a Verizon tech guy I’ve known for a couple of years. What he was saying is that ATT’s whole network is holding on by a thread. He said their basic strategy is to get the best phones possible network be damned. He said over at verizon they think this strategy will ultimately be ATT’s undoing(of cousre his opinion is bias).

I’ve been a verizon customer for about 7yrs now. I personally don’t like the way they treat their customers(thats why i’m leaving), but one thing is for sure they have a great network.

http://wireless.att.com ATT Guy

We have a data training class for new devices….. could possibly be bold traning…

BBKILLER

RIM/BlackBerry IS FUCKING SHIT!

…not only for being such bastards for manoeuvres like removing BB Maps when installing the latest firmware upgrade in order to force you to give more money to the signal providers by using “data plan scams” rather than plain GPS, but also because they cant keep up with great desgin and technology such as the one on my Nokia E71! So FUCK SHITBERRY AND LICK MY ASS RIM!!! >:oD